Becky - I'm currently in a situation where, after I eat, I spike 150+ (effectively, dumping symptoms, sweating, racing heart, etc), then at 2 hours after I eat, I'm back in the 'normal range' and by 1-2 hours after I eat, I'm back down to the 70s or lower even... Nothing about diabetes is ever 'normal', but I don't know what's normal for this or not - I'm not currently living in the area where I had the surgery done, so I need to find someone else new to see to try to normalize this and see what the deal is -- ie: is this to be expected or whatever, and should I be on meds again etc. Is there any way you could get some medication rather than having to go through the surgery to remove part of your pancreas? I just worry overall about people who have that ending up like a type 1 if the beta cells in the remaining tiny pancreas burn out.. (sometimes happens to us Type 2s, changing us into Type 1s ). I suppose Mayo would be at the cutting edge of this, I just worry about long term stuff. Best of luck to you with getting it straightened out -- sucks that thi**** after things get better with the weight. How did this all start back in March with you? (again asking because of my experiences with spiking/crashing sugars). Thx. ...Nick

Joanne, My 21 year old daughter is an ADD kid (now adult) and we've tried it all. Ritalin worked well for a while; then quit being effective. I also hated the "rebound" moody-weepiness that came everytime the Ritalin wore off the in the afternoon. She then tried Adderall, which worked very well regarding the concentration and caused her to lose some weight as well, but it made her so angry and depressed. She told me kids at school would ask her what was wrong; she wasn't herself and I was terribly worried about her. She was ALWAYS angry, bitter and upset. And she slept 16+ hours every day. Very typical symptoms of severe depression. We had to get her off of it. She is now taking Stratera, a drug specifically recommended for adult ADD patients. She's been on it for about 2 years and seems to tolerate it very well. She just graduated from college (a BIG accomplishment for her) and I know she could not have done it without the Stratera. Even she has said she can "feel" the difference in her emotions. She's far less likely to fly off the handle and she can take criticism which was impossible before. She said she feels "calmer". There have been 2-3 times when she's decided to try to quit taking it, but she always goes back and that's kind of pain because for the first 6-8 weeks, it can make you pretty tired until your system adjusts to the meds (that information from my pharmacist son). It's a once a day pill that she takes in the morning and it doesn't seem to upset her stomach at all. I would recommend that you talk to your doctor about Stratera and see what he says. Also, there are some wonderful websites dealing with Adult women and ADD. They will encourage you and make you feel very normal. They've been quite helpful to Brittany. Good luck. I know how hard it can be the find the right medication for you. (((hugs))) Julie

Another site newideas.net/ritalin_side_effects.htm states that irritability/anger can be the result of eating/drinking caffeine while using this meds. Don't know if you do caffeine, but it can impact the meds. Remember caffeine exists not only in sodas (pop) but in coffee, tea and even chocolate. Got a little long winded. But was searching so posted what I found. Hope it helps. Mary

Here's some info I found that may be of help ... (definitely talk to your doctor about these side effects): In most cases the Ritalin side effects are mild but some, though rare, are life-threatening. Nervousness and insomnia are the most common adverse Ritalin side effects. Common Ritalin side effects are: difficulty sleeping loss of appetite irritability nervousness stomach aches headaches dry mouth blurry vision nausea dizziness drowsiness ticks Other Ritalin side effects can include: hypersensitivity anorexia palpitations blood pressure and pulse changes cardiac arrhythmia anemia scalp hair loss toxic psychosis Mary

I posted this on the main board and the wls grad board but I need help anywhere I can get it. My doc put me on ritalin for ADD. I love the stuff, or used to. It does help me concentrate so I can work better. And for the first time in my life I feel like I can do anything I set my mind to. But it is seriously making me aggrevated and anxious. Angry to the point that I can throw something. And jumpy. Anything sets me off such as loud music, tv, lights, talking. Shoot, I get so that when I want something done I want it done yesterday. I am very impatient now. Yesterday Dan was driving the car and even though we were only 5 miles over the speed limit, it was like slow motion to me and I wanted to get home. I refrained from telling him to go faster but I just wanted to tell him to pull over and I'll drive. Today my son was going to do some adding for me on his calulator, and for me, it took forever for him to get ready. I KNOW IT WAS ALL IN REGULAR TIME TOO. I wanted to snatch the calculator and do it myself. I went off the pills for a while cause of this and I didn't get aggrevated but then I couldn't concentrate, work, or accomplish anything. Is there anyone out there on this and had a reaction like this? What did the doc say? Is there anything to counteract the side effects? I have an appointment with my doc but that is, not sure when, a couple of days maybe. I need help asap. Joanne Only good side effect was I wasn't hungry. That side effect went away.